Reversible die block



Dec. 14, 1965 R. E. LANG 3,222,973

REVERSIBLE DIE BLOCK Filed June 11, 1964 United States Patent Ofiice3,222,973 Patented Dec. 14, 1965 3,222,973 REVERSIBLE DIE BLOCK iclrardE. Lang, 100 Grienbriar Drive, Carnegie, Pa.

Filed June 11, 1964, Ser. No. 374,322 13 Claims. (Cl. 83-640) Thisinvention relates to a die block useful in punch presses and the like,and more particularly to a reversible die block which may be rotated soas to accept structural members in either of two positions for piercingopenings therethrough.

As is known, punch presses are employed to pierce openings in structuralmembers, such as H-beams and I-beams. The press includes a punch bit anda die having a die opening adapted to receive the punch bit. The punchbit is powered toward and into the die during the piercing operation andis retracted in the opposite direction.

Many attempts have been made to design a die block which will acceptstructural members of various shapes and sizes. One such die blockincludes an upper die portion and a lower die portion. The upper dieportion is used to punch openings in the web portion of structuralmembers while the lower die portion is used to punch openings in theflange portions of the structural members. Because of the difference inelevation between the upper and lower die portions, it was necessary tolower the punch bit for use with the lower die portion and then to raisethe punch bit for use with the upper die portion. Furthermore, thestripper, employed to retain the structural member in a fixed positionduring retraction of the punch bit, also had to be relocated along withthe punch bit. This is an unsatisfactory arrangement, since, it is verytime consuming and adds to the cost of fabrication.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention toprovide a novel die block for use with a punch bit for piercing openingsin structural elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel die blockwhich will accept structural members of various configurations andsizes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel dieblock adapted to pierce openings in the web portion and in the flangeportions of structural members without requiring a change in theposition of the punch bit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a die block foruse in a punch press, which permits the structural elements to be movedfreely for piercing openings at various locations thereon.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a die blockhaving a novel configuration including an L-shaped recess which isadapted to receive, for example, the flange of an I-beam during piercingof openings in the flanges or web of the I-beam.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel dieblock comprising a base portion having an arm portion projecting fromone surface thereof. The arm portion serves as the die and includes apair of intersecting surfaces each of which is provided with a dieopening extending perpendicularly therethrough. The die block is mountedfor rotation about an axis which is inclined with respect to the centrallongitudinal axis of a punch bit. The rotational axis about which thedie block rotates is offset from the central axis of the punch bit. Thedie openings in the arm portion are equidistantly spaced from therotational axis of the die block. The arrangement is such that in oneposition of the die block, the arm portion is generally parallel withthe central axis of the punch bit and has its associated die openingaligned with the punch bit. The die block may be rotated to a secondposition wherein the arm portion extends transversely of the centralaxis of the punch bit and has its associated die opening aligned withthe punch bit.

In the present die block, the die openings preferably are spaced fromthe rotational axis in order to minimize the stress concentrations towhich the die is subjected during a punching operation. Alternatively, acombination or two-way die could be fabricated wherein the die openingsintersect one another and the rotational axis of the die block. In thisarrangement, the central axes of the die openings, the central axis ofthe punch bit and the rotational axis of the die block reside in acommon plane.

The arm portion projects from one surface of the base portion andcooperates therewith to define an inset L- shaped recess which isadapted to receive, for example, the flange of an I-beam. Thearrangement is such that when the present die block is in one position,that surface of the arm portion which is opposite the punch bit isadapted to be engaged by the web portion of an I-beam for piercingopenings therein. Conversely, when the die block is in the secondposition, that surface of the arm portion which is opposite the punchbit is adapted to be engaged by one of the flanges of the I-beam forpiercing openings therein.

It will become apparent later in the specification, that each of theintersecting surfaces when disposed in opposition to the punch bit willbe disposed at the same distance from the punch bit. This designeliminates the high and low die block changes as well as the punch stemand stripper position changes which were necessary in the punch pressesheretofore available.

The present die block also is provided with locating means which servesto align the die block in either of the first or second position wherebythe appropriate one of the die openings is aligned with the punch bit.This design eliminates the need to realign each of the die openings withrespect to the punch bit after each rotational changeover.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, the present die blockis illustrated wherein the rotational axis is inclined at an angle of 45with respect to the central axis of the punch bit. In this showing theaforementioned intersecting surfaces are mutually perpendicular with therotational axis of the die block extending through a point on the lineof intersection of these surfaces. Furthermore, the die openings alsoare mutually perpendicular. It is to be understood, however, that it iswithin the scope of the present invention that the rotational axis beinclined at angles other than 45.

It should also be noted that a simple, manual method is shown foraligning the die block in either of the first or second position and forsecuring the die block in place. It will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art that numerous other methods may be employed foraligning the die block, for securing the die block and for rotating thedie block into either the first or second position. For example, each ofthese operations may be performed by automatic mechanisms well known inthe art today.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description by reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a conventional punch press provided with thedie block of the present inventlon;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front view of the present die block illustratingthe relative positions of the die openings and a punch bit;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the present die block ina first position, with portions cut away to show details;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the present die block ina second position, with portions cut away to show details; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating an alternativeembodiment of an arm portion of the present die block.

Reference is now directed to FIG. 1, wherein there is illustrated apunch press generally indicated by the numeral 10. The punch pressincludes a C-shaped frame 12 having an upper arm 14 and a lower arm 16and a power section 18 at the rear of the C-shaped frame 12. At theforward end of the upper arm 14 there is provided a housing 20 whichsupports a punch slide 22 for reciprocal movement in a verticaldirection. A punch bit 24 is secured to the punch slide 22 and is movedalong its central longitudinal axis 25. The power section 18 suppliesthe necessary power, through a conventional gear arrangement, toforcibly lower the punch bit 24 for piercing openings in, for example,the I-beam 26, and for elevating the punch bit 24 into a retractedposition.

At the forward end of the lower arm 16 there is provided a reversibledie block 28 of the present invention. The reversible die block 28 isshown in a first of two positions. In this position, the reversible dieblock 28 cooperates with the punch bit 24 for piercing openings in theweb 30 of the I-beam 26. As will be described, the reversible die block28 may be rotated into a second position which will permit openings tobe pierced in the flange portions 32 of the I-beam 26.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 2-4, inclusive, for a detaileddescription of the present die block 28. The die block 28 includes abase portion 34 and an arm portion 36 which projects from the baseportion 34 and serves as the die portion of the die block 28, as will bedescribed.

BASE PORTION 34 As can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base portion34 is generally triangular in shape and has a first face 38 engaged overan inclined surface 48 provided on the lower arm 16 of the C-shapedframe 12. A shear pin 42 is located at the center of the first face 38and extends into the base portion 34 of the die block 28 and into thelower arm 16 of the C-shaped frame 12. The shear pin 42 defines arotational axis, indicated by the dash-dot line 44, about which the dieblock 28 is rotatable. The rotational axis 44 is perpendicular to theinclined surface and extends therefrom toward the punch bit 24. Therotational axis 44 is inclined with respect to the central axis 25 at anangle indicated at A in FIG. 4. In the drawings, the angle A is 45.

In FIG. 3, the die block 28 is illustrated in a first position,designated by the Roman numeral I, into which the die block 28 may berotated. In FIG. 4, the die block 28 is illustrated in a secondposition, indicated by the Roman numeral II, into which the die block 28may be rotated. From the first to the second position and vice versa,the die block 28 is rotated through 180.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 2-4, inclusive, the base portion 34 isprovided with a pair of diametrically opposite openings 46, 48 formedadjacent to the first face 38. The openings 46, 48 comprise portions ofa loeating means 50 which serves to align the die block 28 in the firstposition I and the second position II. As stated above, the locatingmeans 50 may be manually or automatically operated. As illustratedherein, however, the locating means 50 is manually operated andcomprises a locating pin 52 which rides in a groove 54 formed in theforward vertical face of the lower arm 16. The pin 52 is movablevertically in alignment with the rotational axis 44, for example, intothe opening 46 to lock the die block 28 in the first position I.Conversely, when the die block 28 is rotated into the second positionII, the locating pin 52 will be introduced into the opening 48. The dieblock 28 may be secured in either of the first or second position I, II,by any suitable means, such as a plurality of bolts 56 which extendthrough a peripheral flange 58 formed in the basevportion 34 and arethreadedly engaged in the lower arm 16 of the C-shaped frame 12.

ARM PORTION 36 The arm portion 36 is generally rectangular in shape andincludes a pair of intersecting faces 60, 62 which in this embodimentare mutually perpendicular. Divergently extending die openings 64, 46are provided, one each in each of the faces 60, 62, respectively. Thedie openings 64, 66 are mutually perpendicular and equidistantly spacedfrom the rotational axis 44. Furthermore, the die openings 64, 66 arepositioned on opposite sides of the rotational axis 44. As can be seenin FIG. 2, the rotational axis 44 is offset or spaced from the centralaxis 25 by a distance indicated at 67. The overall arrangement is suchthat when the die block 28 is in the first position I, as in FIG. 3, thedie opening 64 is aligned with the punch bit 24 and cooperates therewithduring piercing of openings in the web 30 of the I-beam 26; and when thedie block 28 is in the second position II, as in FIG. 4, the die opening66 is aligned with the punch bit 24 and cooperates therewith duringpiercing of openings in the flange portions 32 of the I- beam 26.

The arm portion 36 extends in cantilever beam relation from a face 68 ofthe base portion 34. Hence, the arm portion 36 and the face 68 cooperateto form an L-shaped recess 70 which receives one of the flange portions32 of the I-beam 26, the arrangement being such that different sizedI-beams may be engaged with the die block 28, in those positionsillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The L-shaped recess 70 permits the I-beam 26 to be moved laterally ofthe die block 28 for piercing openings at various locations in the web30 and the flange portions 32 of the I-beam 26. For example, as can beseen in FIG. 3, the I-beam 26 may be moved laterally, to the right or tothe left of FIG. 3, so that openings may be pierced at differentlocations in the web 30. Similarly, as can be seen in FIG. 4, the I-beam26 may be moved laterally, to the right or to the left of FIG. 4, sothat openings may be pierced at various locations in the flange portions32 of the I-beam 26.

The face 60, in FIG. 3, extends transversely of the central axis 25 ofthe punch bit 24 and is spaced from the end of the punch bit 24 by apredetermined distance indicated by 72. When the die block 28 is rotatedinto the second position II, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the face 62 0fthe arm portion 34 also is spaced from the end of the punch bit 24 bythe same distance 72. Consequently, the punch bit 24 is always at thecorrect distance from each of the die openings 64, 66. That is to say,there is no need for repositioning the punch bit 24 with respect to thedie openings 64, 66 as was heretofore necessary in conventional punchpresses.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT Reference is now directed to FIG. 5 wherein thereis illustrated an alternative embodiment of the arm portion designatedby the numeral 36. Corresponding numerals will be employed to identifycorresponding parts already described.

The arm portion 36 is provided with the pair of divergently extendingdie openings 64, 66, one each in each of the intersecting faces 60, 62,respectively. In this embodiment, however, the die openings 64, 66intersect within the arm portion 36, the arrangement being such that thecentral axis 25 of the punch bit 24, the rotational axis 44, and thecentral axes of the die openings 64, 66 reside in a common P ie, theplane of the drawing.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS As stated above, the rotational axis 44 may beinclined with respect to the central axis 25 at angles other than 45.The inclination of the rotational axis 44 is dependcut on the loadrequirements of the die block 28. For example, if the angle A (FIG. 4)is 40, the length of the arm portion 34 will be shorter so that a largerload may be supported. Conversely, if the angle A (FIG. 4) is 50, thearm portion 34 will be longer so that a lighter load may be supported.In any event, the die block 28 will have the same general configurationillustrated in the drawings.

Although the present invention has been illustrated in connection withone specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts to suitrequirements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a punch press having a frame, a punch bit supported on said framefor reciprocal movement along its central axis, and means for poweringsaid punch bit in one direction to pierce an element and for retractingsaid punch bit in the opposite direction, the improvement comprising: adie block supported on the base of said frame for rotation about an axiswhich is inclined with respect to said central axis, said rotationalaxis extending from the base of said frame toward said punch bit; saiddie block including an arm portion having a pair of divergentlyextending die openings; said die block being rotatable about saidrotational axis from a first position wherein one of said die openingsis aligned with said punch bit to a second position wherein the other ofsaid die openings is aligned with said punch bit; and means formaintaining said die block in said first and second positions.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said die openings are formed onopposite sides of said rotational axis.

3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said die openings are aligned andintersect; the central axes of said die openings, said central axis ofsaid punch bit and said rotational axis residing substantially in acommon plane.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said rotational axis lies in aplane which extends parallel to said central axis and is spacedtherefrom.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said central axis is perpendicularto a surface of said arm portion when each of said die openings isdisposed opposite to said punch bit.

6. The improvement of claim 1 including locating means operativelyconnected with said base for aligning said die in said first and secondpositions prior to securement in said positions.

7. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each of said die openings isdisposed at the same distance from the end of said punch bit whenpositioned opposite thereto.

8. In a punch press having a frame, a punch bit supported on said framefor reciprocal movement along its central axis, and means for poweringsaid punch bit in one direction to pierce an element and for retractingsaid punch bit in the opposite direction, the improvement comprising: adie block including a base portion and an arm portion which projectsfrom said base portion; said base portion being mounted on an inclinedsurface of said frame for rotation about a rotational axis which isperpendicular to said inclined surface and extends toward said punchbit; said arm portion having a pair of intersecting faces each of whichis positionable transversely of said central axis in opposition to saidpunch bit; said arm portion having die openings extending therethrough,at least one in each of said intersecting faces, said die block beingrotatable about said rotational axis from a first position wherein oneof said die openings is aligned with said punch bit to a second positionwherein the other of said die openings is aligned with said punch bit;and means for maintaining said die block in said first and secondpositions.

9. The improvement of claim 8 wherein said die block is rotated throughfrom said first position to said second position.

10. The improvement of claim 8 including a shear pin aligned coaxiallywith said rotational axis, said shear pin extending through saidinclined surface into said base portion and said frame portion; said dieblock being rotatable on said shear pin.

11. The improvement of claim 8 including locating means for aligningsaid die block in said first and second positions prior to securement insaid positions.

12. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said locating means comprises alocking pin carried in a keyway formed in said frame, said locking pinbeing positioned to extend into a first opening formed in said baseportion for locking said die block in said first position and forextending into a second opening formed in said base portion for lockingsaid die block in said second position.

13. The improvement of claim 8 wherein said arm portion projects incantilever beam relation from one face of said base portion, said armportion cooperating with said one face to define a generally L-shapedrecess adapted to receive portions of the element being punched whichextend toward said base portion.

No references cited.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A PUNCH PRESS HAVING A FRAME, A PUNCH BIT SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAMEFOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT ALONG ITS CENTRAL AXIS, AND MEANS FOR POWERINGSAID PUNCH BIT IN ONE DIRECTION TO PIERCE AN ELEMENT AND FOR RETRACTINGSAID PUNCH BIT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: ADIE BLOCK SUPPORTED ON THE BASE OF SAID FRAME FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXISWHICH IS INCLINED WITH RESPECT TO SAID CENTRAL AXIS, SAID ROTATIONALAXIS EXTENDING FROM THE BASE OF SAID FRAME TOWARD SAID PUNCH BIT; SAIDDIE BLOCK INCLUDING AN ARM PORTION HAVING A PAIR OF DIVERGENTLYEXTENDING DIE OPENINGS; SAID DIE BLOCK BEING ROTAABLE ABOUT SAIDROTATIONAL AXIS FROM A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN ONE OF SAID DIE OPENINGSIS ALIGNED WITH SAID PUNCH BIT TO A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN THE OTHER OFSAID DIE OPENINGS IS ALIGNED WITH SAID PUNCH BIT; AND MEANS FORMAINTAINING SAID DIE BLOCK IN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS.